June 9, 2020
Sister Mary Herbert Raphael, SNJM, (Margaret Elayne Raphael) died May 20, 2020. She was almost 103 years old and a professed Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary for 84 years.
Sister Mary Herbert spent over 65 years ministering in formal education. She started at the elementary level for 16 years beginning in Los Angeles and Santa Monica before coming to St. Cecilia, San Francisco, St. Francis de Sales, Oakland and St. Anselm, San Anselmo. For nearly 50 years she taught, was dean of studies, dean of students or registrar at Holy Names High School, Oakland; St. Andrew, Pasadena; Marin Catholic, Kentfield; and Ramona High School in Alhambra.
Many friends, colleagues and former students treasured the contact and correspondence that she was able to maintain until very recently. She loved to travel, especially to her birthplace in Hawaii, to Europe and Alaska. Her gifts of humor and creativity will be remembered by all who knew her and by the Sisters of the Holy Names and their affiliates.
A funeral Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Sister Herbert’s memory at a future date. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 907, Los Gatos, CA 95031 or on-line at www.snjmca.org.